Inner Peace as the Seed of Global Peace: Unveiling the Link Between Zhuangzi’s Mysticism and Nonviolent Resistance
Na Liu
Religions December 27, 2024 DOI: 10.3390/rel15121447 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Theoretical or philosophical paper Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Topics | Mysticism |
| Keywords | Zhuangzi Daoism Inner peace Nonviolent resistance Social change |
| Key points | Argues that Zhuangzi's mystical concepts of inner peace can empower individuals to participate in nonviolent resistance by fostering compassion and courage. |
Abstract
This paper delves into the connection between Zhuangzi’s mystical philosophy and its potential application to nonviolent resistance movements. It argues that the cultivation of inner peace, as advocated by Zhuangzi, can serve as a powerful foundation for individuals to engage in peaceful social change. Zhuangzi, a prominent figure in ancient Chinese thought, emphasized the importance of achieving harmony with Dao, the natural order of the universe. His mystical teachings centered on concepts like the “Pu 樸” (perfect natural state), “Xiao Yao You 逍遙遊” (Free and Easy Wandering) and “Qi Wu Lun 齊物論” (Equalizing Things and Equalizing Theory), as well as “Xin Zhai 心齋” (Fasting of the Mind) and “Zuo Wang 坐忘” (Sitting and Forgetting). This paper explores how these mystical concepts can be interpreted as a call for inner peace and tranquility. The paper then examines how inner peace, as envisioned by Zhuangzi, can empower individuals to participate in nonviolent resistance. It suggests that achieving inner peace allows individuals to transcend feelings of anger, resentment, and violence, fostering a sense of compassion and understanding towards their opponents. This inner peace, in turn, can fuel the courage and determination necessary to engage in peaceful protests and civil disobedience. By exploring the connection between Zhuangzi’s mysticism and nonviolent resistance, this paper aims to shed light on an alternative approach to social change. It argues that inner peace, cultivated through mystical experience, can be a powerful tool for individuals seeking to create a more just and peaceful world.
Comparable studies
Other theoretical and historical papers on mysticism, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| The mystical mind: probing the biology of religious experience | 2000 | Theoretical or philosophical paper | |
| Religious and Mystical Experiences as Artifacts of Temporal Lobe Function: A General Hypothesis | 1983 | Theoretical or philosophical paper | |
| The Problem of Pure Consciousness: Mysticism and Philosophy | 1993 | Edited collection of essays | |
| Irreducible Mind: Toward a Psychology for the 21st Century | 2020 | Theoretical or philosophical paper | |
| Mysticism and schizophrenia: A phenomenological exploration of the structure of consciousness in the schizophrenia spectrum disorders. | 2016 | Theoretical or philosophical paper |
Citations in the library
Cites 2
- Can Inner Peace be Improved by Mindfulness Training: A Randomized Controlled Trial Stress and Health November 22, 2013
- Mindfulness and Its Absence – The Development of the Term Mindfulness and the Meditation Techniques Connected to It from Daoist Classics to the Sinicized Buddhism of the Chan School August 10, 2016